I'm considering cold-emailing / cold-calling a few target companies to secure a role, this technique has worked in the past for me. However I'm undecided which is the better target - do I call the direct supervisor of the role I'm targeting (i.e. my future boss if I'm hired), or call the head of the company?Context:Not all of them are actively looking for someone, so in some cases I may be asking them to either create a role, or keep me in mind when they do look for someoneAll of my target companies are <100 employees based in Canada or USThoughts on calling direct supervisor: Presumably if he/she gets on board they would be best placed to fight for my hiring.Thoughts on calling CEO: If I can convince the CEO presumably it's a stronger case? However, ultimately I think the direct supervisor will have the final say in most cases.Might be harder to convince and/or get time to make my case.Any thoughts at all are welcome!!!

I would go for the CEO - they usually pass it on to the right person anyway, but you get the halo of their boss telling them to get it done. Good luck!

CEO is the better contact in smaller companies. Supervisor come and go as well - I've had a few setups where halfway through the conversation my potential hiring manager just left.

A Career Discussions Discussion About Who Is The Best Person To Cold-call To Get You A Job In A Company, The Direct Supervisor Or CEO?

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This topic has 5 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated Oct-196:02 am by rutadaniel.

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- dollface
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  - CFA Level 2
  08 May 2019 at 5:58 pm
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  I’m considering cold-emailing / cold-calling a few target companies to secure a role, this technique has worked in the past for me. However I’m undecided which is the better target – do I call the direct supervisor of the role I’m targeting (i.e. my future boss if I’m hired), or call the head of the company?
  
  Context:
  - Not all of them are actively looking for someone, so in some cases I may be asking them to either create a role, or keep me in mind when they do look for someone
  - All of my target companies are <100 employees based in Canada or US
  Thoughts on calling direct supervisor:
  - Presumably if he/she gets on board they would be best placed to fight for my hiring.
  Thoughts on calling CEO:
  - If I can convince the CEO presumably it’s a stronger case? However, ultimately I think the direct supervisor will have the final say in most cases.
  - Might be harder to convince and/or get time to make my case.
  Any thoughts at all are welcome!!!
- artyeasel
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  12 May 2019 at 3:24 pm
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  I would go for the CEO – they usually pass it on to the right person anyway, but you get the halo of their boss telling them to get it done. Good luck!
- mincemeat23
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  - CFA Level 1
  09 May 2019 at 3:10 pm
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  CEO is the better contact in smaller companies. Supervisor come and go as well – I’ve had a few setups where halfway through the conversation my potential hiring manager just left.
- hairyfairy
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  - Undecided
  16 May 2019 at 3:30 pm
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  In my experience it strongly depends on what industry and firm size. AM teams tend to be smaller, so CEO might be a good bet especially in a small firm, but investment banking teams tend to be larger, in which case an MD might be a better bet. The best place to aim for is one level higher than your direct boss.
- rutadaniel
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  - CFA Level 2
  14 Oct 2019 at 6:02 am
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  Just started a job last week where I contacted the CEO for a position, company has 150 employees. It works, but I agree that I can’t see it happening in a mega-huge company.
- dollface
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  - CFA Level 2
  14 May 2019 at 3:11 pm
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  Thanks – hit a few last week and in the process. Thanks for the input. If there’s anyone who’s had similar experiences would appreciate any tips!
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